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David was born in Houston on January 20, 1952. He was raised in the Mangum-Oak Forest area, and attended Waltrip High School where he was in the ROTC each of his high school years. After graduating in 1970, David went to work for his Dad’s company, Cook Equipment, selling tractors. From there, he joined the HPD Academy in 1974. David had always wanted to be a police officer.
As an officer, David patrolled the Oak Forest Mangum Manor area for many years. Along with being a patrolman, he was a Baton Instructor and a Field Training Instructor at the Houston Police Academy. He was also a Paramedic Instructor at San Jacinto Junior College, as David was a certified flight paramedic. He retired from the police department in 2007, but continued to work as a civilian in the IT department for the Gang Division until 2010.
Since then David had been enjoying his time with his wife at their beautiful home they built near Brenham. From a drawing on paper, David and Jane planned their dream home, which became a reality in July 2010. Once they moved to “the farm” as it is known, he was able to enjoy his favorite pastime of watching movies, especially old westerns and cartoons. He had a collection of over 900 DVDs, that family and friends could “check out” just like at Blockbuster. He literally had a “sign in, sign out” sheet.
Now living at the farm, he was supposed to drive his Mom to her exercise classes and he was supposed to hit the gym as well (the one his mother bought a year’s membership for.) But David had a different idea: he found a local coffee shop and rather than hit the gym, he would drop Mom off at her class, and he would frequent the coffee shop and enjoy his foo-foo coffee drink while surfing the internet on his phone. That was David’s definition of retirement.
David is preceded in death by his dad, Robert Cook, a sister, Martha Cook, and brother, Tim Cook.
He is survived by his Mother, Margaret Cook, his wife, Jane Cook, his two daughters, Amber Whitt, Amy Oliver and her husband Charles, and his son, Jason Cook. David also has four stepchildren: Stephanie Johnson, Charlie Johnson and his wife Liz, Chris Johnson and his wife Stephanie, and Samantha Wellmeier and her husband Daniel. He is also survived by two sisters Sandy Cook, Norma Hardie and her husband Rob, and their families.
Together David and Jane have 9 grandchildren, with the 10th (a granddaughter) due in April. They are Jack and Chad Oliver, Krissy, Katy, Todd, and Kelley Bentley, Talon Sumerford, Nicholas Johnson and Mabel Wellmeier.
David will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
Facts
Born: January 20, 1952
Place of Birth: Houston, TX
Death: November 30, 2014
Place of Death: Chappell Hill, TX
Occupation: Retired
Organizations: Retired Houston Police officer
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Dennis Walker
I spent a lot of time with David in high school. He was a stand up guy. One of the things we shared was time together in NDCC. I'm not surprised that he became a police officer. We had less contact as time passed and contemporary politics began to exert an influence on the lives of students. The death of his sister during our school years changed him and exacerbated his estrangement from segments of society of which he didn't approve. He was a good person and I have thought of him often over the years.
Jesse Ybarra
I was shocked and sadden to hear of David's passing. I had no idea he was a Waltrip classmate. From 1986 to 1995, I was a Paramedic assigned to Station 62, on 18th and Seamist. David hung out there alot. We responded together on hundreds of EMS calls and taught together at San Jac. It wasn't unusual for David and his HPD partner, David Crane, to beat us to an MVA, evaluate, treat, and immobilize a victim prior to our arrival. He was also a welcome sight when we would beat them in on violent situations.
I have a small scar on the inside of my upper lip, (16 stitches), from his Ruger Mini-14. We were teaching an EMT class at Houston FTA, when an active shooter scenario got a little too realistic. I ended up with the rifle and a bloody lip from one of the students.
For years, I didn't have a Paramedic partner, only a driver. Having Cook and Crane show up on a difficult scene was very comforting to say the least. One Saturday, at 34th and 290, I responded to a MVA. It was an extremely difficult scene. A southbound service van, T-boned an Eastbound sedan with 7 kids, age 7 to 10, headed to a birthday party. Both drivers required extrication. I entered through the passenger side rear door. The first two kids were minor. My EMT driver took them. Cook treated and immobilized the three kids in the front. Crane, actually took care of the two drivers, until additional units could arrive. I transported 2 critical kids from that scene. Everyone was enroute to the hospital in less than 30 minutes.
The help that David Cook and David Crane provided that day, saved lives. Farewell, Brother. You are truly one of the "Good Guys".
Larry Dial
I was in the NDCC with David, I remember that he was on the rifle team and at one time he had a perfect 300 score in competition. Those targets were posted on the wall of the NDCC building. Many more thoughts. sound like he had a good life.
Terry Lee (Rosing)
I find it incredible to learn of the lives of people we knew...but didn't know. With a class the size of ours I guess that is understandable. Peace to you David. I wish I had known you...
Michael (Mike) Benestante
Yes indeed, Terry. David was an officer in the NDCC at Waltrip and was a distinguish public servant. Sometimes we get sad when we lose a classmate at such relatively young age, but it is clear from his beautiful biography that David lived a full and rich life. I think the quality of his accomplishments was amazing. Thanks, Jesse, for the updated information and anecdotes.
Carrol Johnson (Johnson)
David W. Cook, passed away on Sunday, November 30,2014.
He joined the Houston Police Department Academy Class #64 on April 1, 1974. During his career he served at the Northwest Division, Emergency Communications Division, and North Division. He retired on July 16, 2010.
He is survived by his wife.
Forest Park Cemetery
Houston
Harris County
Texas, USA
Created by: Rob5380
Record added: Dec 02, 2014
Find A Grave Memorial# 139509227
Added by: Rob5380
Added by: Rob5380